Stronger Systems,
Better Outcomes,
Healthier Lives.
VPQHC partners with providers, communities, and state leaders to improve health care quality across Vermont. We advance quality through science, collaboration, and learning, applying proven methods from implementation and improvement science to close the gap between evidence and everyday practice. Through this work, we foster a learning health system that transforms shared goals into measurable, lasting improvements in care, safety, and outcomes.
What We Do
Quality Improvement & Patient Safety
Reduce errors, enhance safety, and implement proven improvement strategies.
Regulatory & Accreditation Support
Prepare for compliance with policy development, mock surveys, and audits.
Data-Driven Improvement Reporting
Leverage data for performance measurement, reporting, and system monitoring.
Comprehensive Evaluation for QI
Gather insights through surveys, interviews, and evidence-based assessments.
Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration
Facilitate collaboration through strategic engagement and workgroups.
Training & Workforce Development
Offer customized training through webinars, workshops, and hands-on learning.
About VPQHC
The Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization designated by the Vermont Legislature in 1988 as an independent, non-regulatory, peer review committee. Our organization brings together the entire spectrum of health care voices to focus on quality analysis and improvement.
Find Help: Suicide-Specific Treatment Providers
Explore Our Directory
Access a comprehensive list of treatment providers specializing in suicide prevention and mental health support in Vermont.
Testimonials
“VPQHC’s quality improvement training courses have been incredibly valuable. As a transitional care RN focused on readmissions and leading improvement efforts, the guidance has helped me course-correct, avoid duplicating work, and build confidence in how I present and lead. The recommended resources have also been a wonderful addition—I’m grateful for the support and insight.”
Hospital Care Manager
"Working with VPQHC and organizations across the state in best practices, tools, and opportunities to improve care management and transition of care practices in serving our communities has been outstanding. I value a professional platform to discuss difficult and complex issues affecting us all who are doing this work in delivering quality and safe care coordination."
Lindsay Morse, PhD, MSN/NED, RN, ACM, VP Care Management, University of Vermont Health Network
"The VPQHC Care Management Directors network has helped elevate my knowledge of statewide resources and initiatives available for our patients as well as providing education for our local collaborating teams. A prime example of this was the opportunity to learn about the UVM COVID-19 Recovery Program. When working with patients who have survived COVID-19 and are now experiencing long term COVID symptoms, it is crucial to have resources available to support them. If not for attending this meeting, I would not have had exposure to this, among other great efforts."
Samantha Helinski, MSN, RN, CWOCN, CCCTM, Senior Clinical Transitions Liaison Transitional Care Program, Rutland Regional Medical Center
"While distributing the devices to my patients, I witnessed firsthand the success of this program that promotes equitable access to technology by getting critical equipment into the hands of Vermonters who need it. My clients are incredibly grateful. Thank you so much for providing this equipment and helping bridge the gap in technology access in Vermont, particularly in this time of acute need."
Independent Mental Health Provider & Participant in Connectivity Care Packages Program
"Given the known detrimental effects of ED boarding on the health and well-being of children and adolescents, it was wonderful to partner with VPQHC and others to bring some normalcy to the children and families awaiting more definitive care in the EDs across Vermont for mental health concerns. Although more permanent solutions are still needed to mitigate this crisis, it is encouraging that we could collaborate across so many wonderful and invested organizations such as VPQHC to collect important data and deliver kits to EDs across the state."
Christian Pulcini, MD, MEd, MPH, FAAP, Attending Physician, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, University of Vermont Medical Center and Children’s Hospital. Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine & Pediatrics, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine
"Working in collaboration with VPQHC on our suicide care pathway has been instrumental in providing a framework for this important work. It has helped to focus our attention on evidence-based methods to provide the best suicide care we can."
Kristen Schieman, ED Nurse Manager, Central Vermont Medical Center
"Partnering with VPQHC on suicide prevention has been eye-opening, collaborative, and rewarding. It has streamlined our care, making it more patient-focused—not just in our ED, but hospital-wide. This initiative has enhanced awareness and safety for patients. VPQHC’s support has been invaluable, always responsive and just a call away. We look forward to continuing this collaboration for years to come."
Olga M. Carey, RN, ED Nurse Manager, Springfield Hospital
"Partnering with VPQHC has been invaluable in strengthening our Emergency Department’s suicide care efforts. Their support has enhanced our awareness, resources, and confidence in providing patient-centered care. This collaboration has also deepened our connection with Northeast Kingdom Human Services, allowing us to better support our community’s needs. Together, we are fostering compassionate, non-judgmental care and continuously improving our approach to suicide care."
Andrea Willey, LICSW, Innovation Coordinator, Community Health Improvement, Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital
"This training gave me an evidence-based framework to assess and treat suicidality. I feel more confident about my ability to work with clients experiencing suicidal ideation."
CAMS Training Participant
"The support provided for organization-specific challenges identified through our patient safety visit has been very helpful for our organization."
Vermont Hospital
“Our partnership with VPQHC has strengthened quality improvement and patient safety efforts across North Country Hospital. Through shared best practices, statewide collaboration, and targeted support—especially in the Vermont Suicide Prevention in Emergency Departments Project—we’ve been able to implement evidence-based practices, set meaningful improvement goals, and establish a sustainable process for monitoring and growth.”
Lyndsay Sykes, Assistant Quality Director, North Country Hospital
“The ED staff and I had nothing but great things to say about the trauma responsive care training. I appreciate the different perspective it brings to ED staff, who are often incredibly busy and can forget to slow down and see the whole person in front of them. The presenters were excellent, engaging, and obviously dedicated to their work.”
Ashley Hipworth, BSN, RN, CEN, Clinical Nurse Educator - Emergency Department, Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital
VPQHC News & Updates
This week, VPQHC proudly joins healthcare organizations nationwide in celebrating Medical Laboratory Professionals Week —a time to recognize the essential contributions of laboratory professionals to patient care, public health, and the overall quality of our healthcare system. Although their work often happens behind the scenes, medical laboratory professionals are at the heart of healthcare delivery. From routine blood tests to complex diagnostics, their expertise informs decisions that directly impact patient outcomes and population health. Did you know? Approximately 70% of clinical decisions are based on laboratory test results. That statistic underscores just how central lab professionals are to ensuring safe, effective, and timely care. In recognition of the critical role these professionals play, Governor Phil Scott has issued an official state proclamation honoring Medical Laboratory Professionals Week in Vermont. This acknowledgment highlights their impact and raises awareness of the profession’s importance across the state. Click here to read the full proclamation: https://governor.vermont.gov/sites/scott/files/documents/Medical%20Laboratory%20Professionals%20Week%20%28Proclamation%2025-50%29.pdf At VPQHC, we recognize and deeply appreciate the dedication, precision, and professionalism of Vermont’s laboratory workforce. Your work supports every corner of our healthcare system—and helps build healthier communities across the state. Thank you for all you do. #LabWeek #MedicalLaboratoryProfessionals #VermontHealthcare #HealthcareQuality #PublicHealth
Systems change doesn’t happen overnight. It takes persistence. It takes leadership. It takes resources, vulnerability, and—above all—collaboration. At VPQHC, we are proud to recognize the significant work underway at Northwestern Medical Center (NMC) and Northwestern Counseling & Support Services (NCSS) , who have partnered to implement a universal suicide screening process in the NMC Emergency Department . This transformative step ensures that every patient age 12 and older is screened for suicide risk —regardless of the reason for their visit. Historically, suicide risk screening in emergency departments has been limited to patients presenting with mental health complaints. Yet we know that suicide risk is often hidden, and relying solely on visible cues or presenting complaints leads to missed opportunities for intervention. NMC’s new approach changes that. Over the first eight weeks of implementation: 251 patients were identified as having suicide-related concerns. 53 were actively considering suicide. 11 individuals disclosed suicidal thoughts despite arriving with primary medical (non-mental-health) complaints. These data are both sobering and affirming. They confirm what research has long suggested: universal screening saves lives . By integrating universal, evidence-based screening tools into the ED workflow, NMC and NCSS are identifying individuals who may have otherwise gone unnoticed. This work is part of VPQHC’s Vermont Suicide Prevention in Emergency Departments Quality Improvement Initiative —a multi-year, statewide effort to improve care for individuals experiencing suicidality. The initiative is supported by the Four Pines Fund , the Vermont Department of Health , and The Vermont Community Foundation , and is grounded in national best practices, including the subject matter expertise of Dr. Edwin Boudreaux , whose leadership in suicide care continues to shape tools and training across Vermont. In addition to identifying risk, the partnership between clinical and crisis response teams has strengthened patient follow-up and continuity of care. As Kevin King, a longtime ED nurse now serving as a crisis clinician with NCSS, shared: “This approach allows us to catch concerns earlier, make more informed decisions, and connect people to the support they need—when they need it most.” We applaud the leadership at NMC and NCSS for their commitment to this critical work, and for serving as a model of what’s possible when healthcare organizations work together toward a shared goal: preventing suicide and improving care for every patient. To learn more about the NMC/NCSS collaboration, read the full article: 👉 NMC Collaborates with NCSS to Implement Universal Suicide Screening Process To learn more about VPQHC’s statewide initiative: 👉 Vermont Suicide Prevention in Emergency Departments QI Initiative
As we recognize Vermont Advance Directive Week (April 13-19) and National Healthcare Decisions Day (April 16) , we at VPQHC encourage all Vermonters to document their healthcare wishes. Completed advance directives ensure your healthcare providers honor your preferences, even when you cannot speak for yourself. Why complete an advance directive? Ensures your voice is heard. Document your healthcare preferences and appoint someone you trust to make medical decisions if you're unable to communicate. Without this guidance, decisions may not align with your values and wishes. Reduces burden on loved ones. Making healthcare decisions for a family member during a crisis is emotionally overwhelming. Clear documentation spares your loved ones from guessing your preferences and prevents potential conflict. Take action today: Complete your Advance Directive form: https://vtethicsnetwork.org/forms Share copies with your healthcare providers, designated agent, and family Register your form with the Vermont Advance Directive Registry Discuss your healthcare values with friends and loved ones Have questions? Your healthcare provider is an excellent resource for discussing advance care planning during your next appointment. Advance care planning isn't just paperwork – it's a gift ensuring your healthcare wishes will be respected when it matters most. This Vermont Advance Directive Week, take this important step for yourself and those who care about you. For more information about Vermont Advance Directive Week and available resources, visit the Vermont Ethics Network's website .
At VPQHC, we believe healthcare quality starts with patient safety. Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC) was recently featured for its ongoing efforts to strengthen patient safety, enhance communication, and build a culture of quality care.Patient safety isn’t just about policies—it’s about people. At RRMC, initiatives focus on strengthening communication across teams, using real-time data to enhance care decisions, and continuously seeking ways to improve processes. Their approach has not only created safer environments for patients but also empowered staff with the tools and training necessary to deliver high-quality care every day.These efforts reflect a broader mission we share: ensuring that all patients receive care in settings where safety is the top priority. RRMC’s story serves as a powerful example of what’s possible when healthcare teams work together to put patient safety first. We’re thrilled to see these initiatives gaining recognition and hope they inspire other hospitals across the state to prioritize safety and quality in new and innovative ways.Read more about RRMC’s work here: https://www.rutlandherald.com/features/weekend_magazine/health-talk-patient-safety-and-quality-care/article_fa2cabdc-fe83-11ef-8961-0bc4faaccd46.html
